Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-23
CATARRH.

THE TERM CATARRH is APPLIED TO A
Il peculiar disorder of the nostril and ad-
iacent parts, which prevails to an alarming
extent, and is productive of very serious
consequences.
The most prominent and characteristic
feature is a morbid discharge from tho head,
varying IN its nature at different times
In some there is an almost constant flow
of clear, acrid fluid, but oftener an offensive,
purulent or muco-purulent, greenish- yellow
matter is secreted, which accumulates in
the nostrils or drops into the throat neces-
stating its frequent removal by blowing the
nose or eXpectoratlOn, and often by both
processes sometimes patients feel as
though their head was in a state of rotten
ness, so great is the amount of matter dis
charged and so fetid is its odor. The pa
tent is greatly annoyed by the constant
dropping into the throat Of the mo bid
matter from the head, and as recumbent
position naturally favors the flow downward
his rest is frequently disturbed from this
cause. Many sufferers are obliged to lie With
the head very much elevated in order to
sleep with some degree OF comfort.
III others tongh, viscid and offensive
phieGin collects behind and above the soft
palate, III the passage between tho throat and
head, adheIiug to the parts with gluish tenac-
ity. Its lodgment cmbarrasses RESPIRATION
and creates sensatiOn of irritation and un-
easiness in the affected locality, which gives
rise to a constant and almost irresistible de-
sire to relieve that discomfort by drawing
the mucus into the throat so as to eject it by
the mouth. This practice, popularity known
as "hawklng,' is characteristic of catarrh,
and proves as eml arrassing to the one af-
fected as it is disagreeable TO those around
HIM.
Again, the offensive matter hardens and
deposits itself on the membrane in the shape
OF dry, hard concretions, which are dis
charged by way OF the nostrils or throat in
Jumps or fragments of deep green tint. In
some cases these 1hcrustations accumulate
n n n q tn form nlur v.l,trv
i'll the nose. which obstructs breathing and
produce serious discomfort. So firmly do
these incrustations adhere to the point OF
attachment that their removal usually re-
qures the most violent efforts not unfre-
quently they have to be torn from the men,
brane Occasionally II solid cast OF notable
size TX expelled, on which there are gen rally
iraGcS OF blood, but in some cases the cast
presents "A tuh'liar appearance, being of exact
shape of the nasal cavity. This condition Is
indicative of liberation, which, in time,
may destroy the bony structure of the nose
and produce subsequent hattening of that
organ
Cases are occasionally met with in which
a thick, viscid, Shiny secretion coats the
membrane of the nasal cavities and then
putrefes, giving rise to a stencil which is
really Oyerpowering, and sufficiently fetid
to poison the atmosphere OF a whole room;
| aud there are others in which all the secre-
tons Of the membrane are suspended, caus-
ing an unpleasant feeling OF dry ness, heat
| and feyerishness in the head and nose-a
condition popularly known as "Dry
The disease speedily extends to the air
cavities of the bones of the forehead and
face, giving rise to dist essipg sci nsation of
heavy weight or compression over the fore
head, especially in the region above and be-
tween the eyes, and to a feeling OF fulness,
heat, irritation, sor ness or pai in the nos.
rrils near the root of the nose, as well as in
he upper part OF the throat, above and be-
hind the soft palate. Sometimes there is
pain Obstinately fixed in some particular
part, as in the temple, on the top of the
| head, at the back OF the neck, or behind the
orbits, and, occasionally, pain manifests
Itself in the face OF SO severe a character
that it is frequently mistaken for nt uralgia.
The breath is always tainted, and at times
| assumes an xceeding fetid and sickening
odor In some cases it becomes so revolt
ingly offensive as to render the sufferer an
OBJECT of disgust to himself as well as to
others.
The nasal membrane is thickened and
contested, causing the nose to be stopped UP,
sometimes on one side, sometimes on the
other, and often on both, giving rise to
disagre cable, stufy sensation in the head,
and occasioning violent and prolonged
paroXysms of sneezing
The voice is weak, Indistinct and husky,
OF o. a nasal character, displaying a sort of
SHINING quality, Oftentimes there is con-
lnuous hoarseness and discordance There
Is also a sense OF irritation i'll the part,
ana frequent attempts to clear the throat of
phlegm, producing the sound "hem," more
complain of an uncomfortable feeling of
tullness or choky sensation in the throat,
ana IN others OF distressing and almost
constant dryness, for the temporary relief of
Whlch they nave to swallow frequently
Others; again, speak of Il constant bad or
nanseous taste in the mouth OIL throat
Inc stomach generally suffers more or less
ana becomes weak and irritable the appe-
tite is caprieious ana nearly always bad in
tue morning. The patient is languid, unable
to perform mental or physical labor with
the usual facility, is nervous, depressed in
spirits, at times fearful timid, agitated and
inclined TO drowsiness and sleep, the mem
ory. weakened and permanent impairment
seriously threatened.
The mucous membrane soon becomes
morbidfy sensitive to unfavorable inilu-
ences, and in spite of the utmost care be-
comes affected from the slightest causes, so
thal ut last breath of wind upon the lining
OF tho nose or throat becomes productive OF
cold, ana gives rise to serious disturbances
OF the respiratory organs. Thus the patient
IL subject TO frequent and repeated colds,
each aitack aggravating the disease by civ.
Ing 1t a new impulse and involving a larger
extent OF surface than its predecessor In
THIS manner the difficulty spreads from or
gan to organ, invading the throat, larnyx,
trachea and bronchial tubes, until, en-.
croaching further and further. it reaches
the lnor ramifications of the bronchi. when
but slight impulse is required to send it to
affect other organs in the body, especially
those contain ng mucous membrane sucR
AS the stomach, bowels, kidneys, etc
BY the employment OF proper inhalat1ons
In the form of medicated vapOr mot steam
or spraO we are able to produce Immediate
ana direct action upon the diseased surface
In the pharynx and nasal passages, for air
will find its way into the most remote and
intricate cavities. where 1t is utterly impos-
sible to make fluid applications. By these
means every case can be cured.
Persons desiring treatment by this system
OF practice can use the remedy at home as
wen as AZ our ONCE, and which will cause
whatever. " '"sinesa
A., nave seen so many of these cases cured
!nat ina ia 40 not consider any case hopeless IN
anS aIsd ,he ,t disease has advanced to the chest
anu El'a .nat Doth lungs are seriously Involved
Even then the Limitations aid us in dis.
SOWING me mucus and in contracti snn
ne ddoarag me cavities, which nothing else can
references rom those eefrss sIreSav The very best